HILLS OF ROAN COUNTRY
Recorded by The Stanley Brothers
Words and music by Carter Stanley & Ralph Stanley
In the D beautiful hills, - way G back in Roan D County
There's where I roamed - for E many long A7 years
There's where my D heart's - been G tending most D ever
There's where the first step of mis-{A7} fortune I D made.
I was thirty years old - when I courted and married
When Armanda Gilbreath - was then called my wife
Her brother stabbed me - for some unknown reason
Just three months later I'd taken Tom's life.
For twenty five years - this whole world I rambled
I went to old England, - to France and to Spain
Then I thought of my home - way back in Roan Country
I boarded a steamer and I come back again.
I was captured and tried - in the village of Kingston
Not man in this county - would speak one kind word
When the jury came in - with a verdict next morning
A lifetime in prison was the words that I heard.
When the train pulled out - poor mother stood weepin'
And sister she sat, - alone with a sigh
And the last words I heard - was, "Willie God bless you."
Was, "Willie, God Bless you, God bless you, goodbye."
No matter what happens - to me in Roan Country
No matter how long - my sentence may be
I love my old home - way back in Roan Country
It's a way back down in old East Tennessee.
*In the scorching hot sand - by the foundry I'm working
Toilin' and workin' - my poor life away
They'll measure my grave - on the banks of old Cumberland
Just as soon as I finish the rest of my days.
Sweet Martha was buried, - but Corey was better
There's better and worse - although you can see
Boys when you write home - from the prison in Nashville
Place one of my songs in your letter for me.
*Additional verse.